Guardian

AS parts of its moves to link flights to other African regions, Aero Contractors Airlines, one of the oldest airlines in the region, on Monday, launched its inaugural flight to Duoala, the largest city in Cameroon.

The aircraft, AJ 2002, departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 10. 45a.m. and arrived Duoala International Airport around 12. 37 pm. On board were officials of the airline, few passengers and a team of bandsmen that graced the occasion at the airport.

Speaking at the arrival of the airline in Duoala, the Flight Operations and Accountable Manager, Ressel Leefoon said: “Our coming to Duoala is very important to the company. We intend to increase our flights operations to Cameroon. We thank the country for doing business with us.”

“The launch of the route is part of our strategy of focusing on operations in Africa, which is a key growth area for the airline and also in line with the airline’s regional expansion programme,” he added.

He further noted that the subsequent flights to the route would be operated with a Boeing 737as number of passengers’ increases.

Leefoon who, stated that for an inaugural flight, it was uncommon to have a full passengers, said that, “we know it is normal and that it would take up to three months before we can have a normal number of passengers on board.”

According to him: “The important thing is that we are here today, to sensitise the Cameroonians and the community; we have a lot of sensitisation in Nigeria and in Ghana. What is important is that we are here, it does not matter that we have few passengers on board today. We expected that in the nearest future, our numbers would grow.”

He promised that the airline would offer quality services into the country. According to him: “We plan to go to other regions in Africa in the future. We guarantee you that you would get value for your money; we will offer you the best experience in airline market and your safety is also guaranteed,” Leefoon stated.

His words: “We want to expand in the Camerounian market for those that want to go other parts of Nigeria for business like Abuja, the Federal Capital or Kano. This flight will continue to Accra via Lagos. I will assure you that as we increase in operation here, we will offer you the most quality safety flight.”

When asked how the airline hoped to compete with other airline on the route, he said, “yes, we have other airline to compete with, but we have strategies on ground to help us survive on the route and explore the market here,” Leefoon noted.